What is the labeling requirements for the FDA regarding GMO/BE foods?

I didn't find this explained in the archives but I doubt this is a new question that hasn't been talked about yet...

 

What is the labeling requirements for the FDA regarding GMO/BE foods? The USDA has guidelines about BE foods that I found but not the FDA.  Are there any? The company I work for does not sell direct to retailers but to restaurants and distributors for restaurants and other food manufacturers. We are not a USDA facility either. What guidelines cover us that I should be aware about? My research isn't showing that I am covered but my customers are starting to ask and I want to get ahead of any and everything that I can.

 

Thanks in advance. 

It depends on what kind of bio engineered food it is --

 

https://www.ams.usda...ered-foods-list

Here's an FDA guidance document (it is a PDF file). The FDA's main concern is that labeling of items is not misleading.

 

https://www.fda.gov/...120958/download

Here's an FDA guidance document (it is a PDF file). The FDA's main concern is that labeling of items is not misleading.

 

https://www.fda.gov/...120958/download

Okay the first thing that I see is the phrase "non binding"

Does this mean that it's not mandatory? As in: is it mandatory to declare GMOs in your ingredients?

I would suggest you take a look further because I have been away from the food industry for a year or so. The last information I had said that it was not mandatory to label GMOs. The guidance document also seems to say the same. It describes the labeling as being voluntary. However, there was a brief point in time where Vermont was calling the shots - and companies were required to put GMO/BE labeling on products that required it. If our products ended up in commerce in Vermont, we'd be charged fees per day the product sat in commerce. That then changed because the FDA stepped in and basically overruled the Vermont rulings. I don't think anything has changed since then. Most companies opted to keep the GMO/BE reference on their product even though the Vermont reg was overruled. A lot cheaper to keep it than change it again, and probably anticipated that there would be some new regs that would require something similar anyway.

The bioengineered food (GMO) regulation is under USDA jurisdiction, not FDA. It only applies to specific ingredients and only applies if the genetic modification can be detected. If it can be detected, then there must be a statement that the product contains bioengineered material. There are specific logos and language to use. See the link that SQF Consultant included.

The bioengineered food (GMO) regulation is under USDA jurisdiction, not FDA. It only applies to specific ingredients and only applies if the genetic modification can be detected. If it can be detected, then there must be a statement that the product contains bioengineered material. There are specific logos and language to use. See the link that SQF Consultant included.

Sorry, maybe a dumb question, but does this mean it is indeed just for manufacturer's that operate under the USDA? Not those that fall under FDA jurisdiction? Or is it actually just dependent on the ingredients in the items, regardless of what jurisdiction?

 

Thanks,

The rule applies to the ingredients not to whether the plant is under USDA or FDA jurisdiction.

Sorry, maybe a dumb question, but does this mean it is indeed just for manufacturer's that operate under the USDA? Not those that fall under FDA jurisdiction? Or is it actually just dependent on the ingredients in the items, regardless of what jurisdiction?

 

Thanks,

 

All questions are welcome, always - none are dumb!

 

In this case, it does not matter under what authority the MFG operates under, it is based on the product (ingredients.)